West Stewart Street Shopping Arcade Gets £40k Upgrade

One of Greenock town centre's busiest hubs has been given a £40,000 facelift as part of a wider regeneration project.

Inverclyde property firm, Bowman Rebecchi has been overseeing the works in its role as Factor for the Stewart Centre following its appointment earlier this year.

The Stewart Street Centre has benefited from a number of recent works, including cleaning of the canopies, and sandblasting of the pavement with the centre also freshly painted as part of a series of planned upgrades.

Reflecting on the works, Bowman Rebecchi Director, Marco Rebecchi said: "The difference these works have made to the centre is clearly visible and on behalf of the owners and tenants we are delighted at how well the project has been delivered.

"The Stewart Centre is a vibrant retail part of Greenock, with high levels of occupancy and many long-term tenants in spite of the multiple challenges meant of these businesses continue to face. It is vital they are supported to ensure future occupancy and to attract new businesses.

"As Factors, the project has been delivered entirely by using local tradespeople and we are delighted with the results. We would like to recognise the professionalism throughout.

"We'd also like to thank Inverclyde Council for their support."

Investing in the town centre was pledged as a priority by both councillors during the election campaign last year. They also want improvements at the Oak Mall and on West Blackhall Street.

It is part of an overall plan led by ward councillors Jim Clocherty and Francesca Brennan, as part of the town centre regeneration forum, to breathe new life into the area.

Councillor Clocherty, chair of the regeneration forum, said: "With the bus station in West Stewart Street this is one of the first places people see when they come into the town centre.

"It is very much a gateway to Greenock. It is important that we invest in this area. We are now looking forward to work starting on West Blackhall Street.

"We are also delighted with SPT's investment in the town centre."

The Stewart Centre is a busy shopping arcade but has been plagued in the past with anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Last year SPT hit out when the bus station was targeted and the area has been a priority for the council and its partners including SPT and the police.

It is hoped that the £40,000 clean-up will create a better experience for shoppers and businesses.

Underpasses in the town have also been upgraded over the last year.

This will be followed by the long-awaited major upgrades to West Blackhall Street.

Councillor Brennan said: "This is part of a wider plan for regeneration and something that we are very much focused on.

"There will be information shared with shoppers in the Oak Mall about what we are doing in the town centre.

"There are so many people from different areas who use our town centre and we have to make it a positive experience"

Bowman Rebecchi continues to grow its factoring services, with other sites within its portfolio including Fort Matilda Industrial Estate and Larkfield Industrial Estate, alongside multiple smaller shop units across Inverclyde. Contact us for further information on how we can support your property.

This article and image appeared in the Greenock Telegraph.